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Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Happy Summer. We just wrapped up the Writer's League of Texas Conference in beautiful Austin. We took pitch after pitch- it's always incredible how many fresh ideas are out there.

Despite it being summer, things are in full swing over here. The Book Expo came and went right after Memorial Day weekend and now with the conference under our belts we're attacking the submissions pile and looking forward to adding some new and exciting clients to our list for the fall.

Authors always ask me why we go to writers conferences, so I wanted to pipe in about that. It feels important to mention, since every time I have pitch sessions, inevitably there are a few authors shaking uncontrollably. Shaking to talk to little (literally) old (not literally) me? I realize it's nerve-wracking to talk to an agent, especially before you've broken the ice and realized we're people too. So I always calm authors down by reminding them that we're there- taking pitches and listening in- in the hopes of connecting with new clients. Without our clients, we don't have a job! It's a pleasure to find that gem among pitches, that book you feel passionate about and think you can sell. Sure, it doesn't happen at every single conference, but there's a good chance. I have personally found many authors at conferences and made great connections.

Agents also attend conferences because it's a great time to see colleagues. Events are organized for us separate from the author attendees- we'll have a big faculty dinner where we can catch up with each other in a more relaxed atmosphere than a bustling restaurant in a major city at lunchtime! In Texas, they rounded us up for some good Mexican food, which was followed by a good pool match between editor Brooke Warner (Seal Press), Chuck Sambuchino (F&W), Toni Plummer (St. Martin's) and myself. The match was a draw, for those of you who are wondering, but Chuck says he won. Let's let him have that glory, shall we? HI CHUCK!

Hope everyone's summer is off to a good start. As you bear the heat (rather than blast the a/c?!), please help us spread the word as we continue to build our green living list. Our author, green crafter Betz White has just wrapped up production of her Sew Green book, the highly-anticipated follow up to her book Warm Fuzzies, which will teach folks how to recycle who knows what to create beautiful items for self and home. And Jennifer Ward continues to "green" parenting with ongoing publicity for I LOVE DIRT. (Stay tuned- she'll be on NPR soon!) It's a list we're going to be building aggressively in the coming months, so keep an eye out.

Full Circle is in the process of going green itself (for example, we'll be accepting fewer and fewer hard-copy submissions, for example-stay tuned to our "submissions requirements" for more on that). We believe strongly in the environmental movement and are always looking for new and creative voices to bring inspiration and tips on that lifestyle to readers everywhere, so keep us in mind for those green books!

Happy summer!Lilly

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Just in time for summer, we're really excited about the new release I LOVE DIRT! by Jennifer Ward. Separated by seasons, it makes enjoying nature easy and fun. Right now I am sitting on our outdoor swing with my son as the leaves sway to the beat of the music and we count the birds in the yard. Aaah the simple pleasures of summer! How are you enjoying "dirt" this summer?

See Soule Mama's book review: http://www.soulemama.com/soulemama/2008/06/i-love-dirt---r.html#comments

For more information on Jennifer Ward, check out: http://www.jenniferwardbooks.com/

Welcome!

Full Circle Literary is a boutique literary agency offering a unique full circle approach to literary representation. Our diverse experience in book publishing includes editorial, marketing, publicity, legal and rights, which we use to help build authors one step at a time.

We work with both adult and children's books writers, and our staff has a knack for finding and developing new talent. Our underlying policy is we only sign books that we are as enthusiastic about as you are. We'll work together through the publication process...full circle.

ART INC: The Essential Guide for Building Your Career as an Artist by Lisa Congdon (Chronicle)

"If you want to make a living as an artist, you better steal everything you can from this book." --Austin Klean, author of STEAL LIKE AN ARTIST